‘Kawalang-hiyaan’: Pharmally’s alleged corruption must not be overlooked — Robredo spox
MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez on Sunday said that the “corruption” in Pharmally Pharmaceutical Corp. should not be overlooked as many Filipinos suffered amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pharmally is facing a Senate investigation over its billions worth of government contracts despite a small paid-up capital to provide medical supplies amid the health crisis.
One of the company’s stockholders, Rose Nono Lin — who is also running for public office — defended her luxury car, claiming that she suddenly found it in her garage.
“Nag-iinit ang ulo ko tuwing nakikita ko ‘yang ganyan. ‘Di ko talaga matanggap na alam naman natin kahit papaano may korupsyon ‘di ba? Nakakagalit ang korupsyon at alam mo ang daming tao naghihirap, ang daming taong nangangailangan tapos ito mga parang pa-petiks petiks lang, bilyon-bilyon, milyon-milyon ang kinikita. May mga lumilitaw na mga Lexus sa kanilang mga garahe ‘di ba? Magigising ka may Lexus ka sa garahe,” Barry Gutierrez said during the BISErbisyong LENI program on DZXL.
(It angers me when I hear the news about that. I cannot accept that because we know that there is corruption, right? It is infuriating knowing that many people are in need but these people are relaxed, earning millions and billions and a Lexus suddenly appears in their garage out of nowhere.)
“Ang hindi ko talaga maatim, lalo na sa panahon na ito, pandemya. Ang daming taong namamatay, ang daming taong nagkakasakit, milyon-milyon ang nawalan ng trabaho, hindi mapakain ang kanilang pamilya tapos magnanakaw pa kayo?” he added.
(I cannot understand it, especially at this time of a pandemic. Many people lost their lives, many people are infected, millions lost their jobs and cannot feed their families while they still steal?)
“Ewan ko. Ibang klaseng kawalang-hiyaan ‘yung nagawa ng ganyan kaya ako sang-ayon ako nang buong-buo sa sinasabi ni VP Leni: Hindi pwedeng palagpasin ‘yung ganyang klaseng krimen,” he went on.
(I just don’t know. The shamelessness is one of a kind. That’s why I agree with Leni: That kind of crime cannot be overlooked.)
Gutierrez then likened the alleged corruption to a fire victim being looted or a drowning person who was robbed instead of saved.
“’Di ko talaga maintindihan saan kumuha ng kapal ng mukha itong mga ganitong klase ng tao. Parang happy happy sila habang nagdurusa ang napakarami,” he said.
(I do not understand where they get their shamelessness. It seems like they are happy while many people are suffering.)
During one of the Senate blue ribbon committee’s hearings, a video was presented showing President Rodrigo Duterte meeting Pharmally officials in Davao City in 2017.
RELATED STORIES
Gordon to Duterte: Protect Filipinos, not Pharmally, ‘Davao boys’
